Air rage passenger jailed
Updated on 28 September 2007
A passenger who terrified a packed holiday flight and the plane's crew during an air rage attack has been jailed for 12 months.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how 53-year-old Stephen Robinson assaulted a crew member after he was told to extinguish a cigarette at 33,000ft.
On the Boeing 757, flying from Antalya in Turkey to Newcastle Airport in March last year, he clambered over other passengers to get into the aisle to confront crew members.
In the melee, he hit steward Philip Miles in the face, damaging his teeth, which cost £2,000 to repair.
Robinson, from Hope Town Lane, Darlington, was warned he may never be allowed to fly again after admitting endangering the safety of the Thomas Cook flight TCX313L and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The flight had to be diverted to Frankfurt in Germany and Robinson was forced to make his own way home while fellow passengers faced delays of several hours because of the diversion.
Judge Esmond Faulks said: "You have now finally pleaded guilty to the two charges on this indictment. They are obviously serious charges so I am not giving any promises about sentence."
The judge added: "He is the sort of person I think should never go on an aircraft again."
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